How open-source

changed my life

17/05/2023 - RomaJS

@manueomm

Hi, I’m Manuel

Developer

Contributor

Co-Author

Remote developer

@NearForm

Open Source contributor for +4 years

Accelerating Server-Side Development with Fastify

backend.cafe

@manueomm

Disclaimer

NO Motivational Talk

NO Impostor Syndrome

NO Comfort zone

NO Fairy Tales

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YES to introspection

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@manueomm

Once upon a time..

..I was a Java 1.4 developer..

@manueomm

…a dev was dreaming about …

• Why don't I use the coolest tech?
• Why have I never faced these challenges?
• Why does everyone know that dev?

​

@manueomm

how to change his life.

@manueomm

Your training is your responsibility

Open Source Contributor - Gratitude Tier

1. Study
2. Share personal projects
3. Learn by answering issues
4. Submit smaller PRs (docs, bug, maintenance)

awareness++

skills++

sense_of_worth++

free_time--

@manueomm

Open Source Contributor - Visibility Tier

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concetto caffe 1 euro - 5 e a venezia stesso caffe (non e’ vero in quanto cambi)

• Create solid connections
• Have a bigger impact on the project
• Improve the ecosystem and the community
• Access to the Release Button

knowledge++

interview++

up_to_date++

teamwork++

@manueomm

Open Source Contributor - Pragmatic Tier

• Work on bugs
• Create useful content
• Be the change by opening an issue
• Challenge yourself (writing a book, join a foundation)

• Learnt how to spend your visibility
• Improve your online reputation ---> pensi “forse qualcosa l’ho capita”
• Be the change
• open an issue to change the world
• scritto un libro

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Paid with complains

• why you did not release it yet?
• this project sucks
• I have this bug, fix it or I will be fired

complains++

online_reputation++

donations++

impact++

@manueomm

Open Source Leader - Paid Tier

• Work full time on open-source
• Build a business
• Leads the ecosystem
• Constant Knowledge sharing

impact++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

self_empower++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

fun++--++--

free_time++--++--

@manueomm

Yeah…

but what's the point?

@manueomm

Control the chaos

@manueomm

TLDR;

• 1 year of open-source > 10 years of training on the job
• The OSS boosts your professionalism
• You can work with top-class developer
• You can learn from top-class developer
• The OSS can change your life in less than 1 year
• You will feel appreciated
• The OSS may impact your career if you commit to it

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@manueomm

How do I spend my visibility?

@manueomm

What are your goals?

@manueomm